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With Apple's agreements with the labels due for renewal early next year, the New York Times reports that the labels' are no longer prepared to let Apple determine how downloads should be sold. Disharmony is already evident in Japan, where Sony declined to sign up to iTunes because, it is thought, Apple was not flexible enough on pricing, despite making concessions that it has not sanctioned elsewhere.

The labels are also said to be unhappy that while they produce the music, it is Apple, through iPod sales, that is making the hefty profit from downloads.

However some music industry executives back Apple's stand, arguing that anything that complicates downloading or makes it more expensive will drive music fans back to file sharing.